The pictures and video show at most 20 individuals at any given time, and the bush on either side of the road seemt quite thick.

The largest number I've ever seen together was 34, and I had a very hard time counting them accurately, even though they were all right out in the open together (Ngorogoro Crater).

Skinner gives the clan size in the lowveld as between 9 and 18, so seeing a clan of 30 would be highly unusual, and seeing two of that number even more so. Especially since there are no pups present, which means the actual clan numbers would have to be substantially higher.

we were driving on the H14 (Shimuweni to Mopani) on the 18th July . we came across a healthy looking hyena and her four cubs. The cubs were playing around quite happily and she looked very contented. She then picked up one pup and wandered around a bit (minutes) and then put it back down. she then picked up a pup again (not sure if it was the same one) crossed the road and disappeared off into the bush. we waited for about 15 minutes when she returned with the cub still in her mouth and put it down. the cubs explored some more when the scene was repeated. however this time although we waited for well over a half an hour she failed to returnleaving the other little cubs alone.

on our return trip later that afternoon a car stopped us and told us about the sighting of the hyena and her three cubs. so either she had returned minus cub number four or he was hiding.

Hyena mothers often use culverts in the road for their dens. It is often worth spending time in the early morning to see if there are any hyenas around. Lions and other predators also know that culverts can be places to et a breakfast snack. It could be that the mother smelt the presence of another predator and started moving her pups to safety.

Hyenas sometimes leave their pups for long periods while they search for food.

Hyena moms are usually very protective. I can't help but wonder if she was nervous because of lions in the area.

The bird doesn't sing because it has answers, it sings because it has a song.